A visual journey featuring the guitarists who performed with Ozzy Osbourne, known as the Prince of Darkness, during his iconic albums and live performances.
Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness, had a remarkable career that spanned over four decades. He worked with a diverse array of musicians, both big-name artists and lesser-known talents, leaving an indelible mark on the heavy metal genre.
Born in 1948, Osbourne's career took off in the 1970s when he became the lead singer of Black Sabbath. However, his solo career, which began in the late 1970s, is where he truly shone. His impeccable taste in guitarists is almost as legendary as the man himself.
Throughout his career, Ozzy collaborated with a long line of guitar players. Notable among them were Randy Rhoads, Tony Iommi, Jake E. Lee, Zakk Wylde, Joe Holmes, and Gus G.
Randy Rhoads was Ozzy's iconic guitarist during the early solo career phase. He shaped Ozzy's sound on albums like Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman. Rhoads' technical skill and style helped define Osbourne’s post-Black Sabbath solo work.
Tony Iommi, though primarily Ozzy’s bandmate in Black Sabbath, was crucial to Ozzy’s initial heavy metal legacy. As the original Black Sabbath guitarist and riff mastermind, Iommi played a significant role in setting the foundation for Osbourne's sound.
Jake E. Lee played guitar on Ozzy’s Bark at the Moon album and contributed significantly to Osbourne’s mid-1980s sound.
Zakk Wylde was Ozzy’s longest-serving solo guitarist and collaborator after Rhoads. He featured on albums like No Rest for the Wicked and No More Tears, with multiple hits resulting from their work together.
Joe Holmes was another solo-era guitarist who worked with Ozzy, though less renowned than the others, but still a notable collaborator.
Gus G is a more recent guitarist for Ozzy, maintaining the tradition of top-tier players supporting him in the 2000s and onward.
Ozzy also worked with other guitarists such as Brad Gillis and had high-profile collaborations outside of his core bands, including the participation of guest guitarists like Slash on related projects, though those were less central to Osbourne's main musical eras.
In his final show, Tony Iommi and Zakk Wylde were among the musicians who performed with Ozzy. Wylde, who served as Ozzy's longest-serving six-string sideman, was a fitting tribute to the man who helped revolutionize heavy music with his unique style and powerful voice.
Even in the band that launched his career, Black Sabbath, Ozzy was the lead singer. In 2017, they reunited for a farewell show called Back to the Beginning, a poignant reminder of their shared history and the impact they had on the heavy metal genre.
Ozzy Osbourne passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire new generations of heavy metal musicians. His collaborations with these iconic guitarists helped build and sustain his legendary status in heavy metal.
[1] Ozzy Osbourne's Discography [2] Ozzy Osbourne's Collaborators [3] Randy Rhoads [4] Slash [5] Jake E. Lee [6] Zakk Wylde [7] Gus G [8] Black Sabbath [9] Tony Iommi
- The iconic guitarist, Randy Rhoads, significantly shaped Ozzy Osbourne's sound on albums like 'Blizzard of Ozz' and 'Diary of a Madman' during Osbourne's early solo career phase.
- Zakk Wylde, who served as Ozzy Osbourne's longest-serving six-string sideman, was a fitting tribute to the man who helped revolutionize heavy music with his unique style and powerful voice.
